Warriors' Andrew Bogut excited about return to Milwaukee

Warriors center Andrew Bogut has been a huge presence in the middle for Golden State this season. (Associated Press)

Andrew Bogut's first game in Milwaukee as an opponent will come Tuesday with the Warriors center looking a lot like the dominant big man the Bucks drafted first overall in 2005.

The 7-footer from Australia doesn't have the offensive role he had in Milwaukee -- where he averaged in double figures in scoring six straight years -- but has turned into a perfect fit in Golden State.

"It's great to see him healthy and whole for the first time in a long time," Warriors coach Mark Jackson said. "He's been the anchor to our defense."

Bogut is averaging eight points, his scoring often coming early in the game before the Warriors' potent offensive weapons take over. He's grabbing 10.2 boards a game and provides great protection around the rim -- everything the Warriors hoped they'd get from Bogut once he was healthy after they traded Monta Ellis for him in March 2012.

That is the key. Bogut is healthy for first time since Golden State acquired him. He was recovering from a fractured left ankle at that time and never suited up for the Warriors that first season.

Bogut played only 32 games last season but flashed his potential in the playoffs as an impact defender. He's definitely played that way this season while participating in 35 of 36 games -- the lone game he missed was because of a suspension.

What kind of a reception is Bogut expecting when he plays in Milwaukee for the first time as a Warrior?

"A cold one. Freezing," Bogut joked, referencing the frigid temperatures that include a high of 5 degrees forecast for Tuesday.

But when he steps on the court, he's not sure what to expect.

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"I still have a special place in my heart for Milwaukee," Bogut said. "I went through adolescence to late teenage years to growing into a man in Milwaukee, so it'll always have a special place in my heart. I believe I still have a lot of fans there. I have a lot of respect for the city.

"There will be a little bit of boo birds, a little bit of both. That's just the way it goes. I'm excited to go there and see people that I spent my first (seven) years of my career with."

Warriors forward David Lee has gone through the experience of returning to play in New York after five seasons with the Knicks that included an All-Star appearance. He thinks Bogut is well suited to handle the environment.

"He's a mature guy," Lee said of Bogut. "He's a guy that I think out of anybody on the team will probably be the best at not letting any of that stuff bother him. He's just going to go out and play and do his job, and he's a hard-hat type of guy."

Bogut wouldn't deny that he'll be fired up to get a win against his former team, owner of the NBA's worst record at 7-26.

"There's no doubt about it," he said. "I have respect for the franchise. I have respect for the people that I worked with there. I still have close friends in the franchise. Obviously there's been a changing of the guard there. They've moved on a lot with people that were there when I was there. But I still have the utmost respect for the franchise. They drafted me, they helped move my career."

Most important, Bogut wants to see the Warriors' nine-game winning streak continue. It's the longest streak he's been a part of, the longest by the Warriors in a single-season since 1975 and two shy of matching the franchise record.

"I definitely do want to get the win -- just like any other win," Bogut said. "I think within all this it's more important to get the win just to keep the streak going than it is to beat Milwaukee."